From Lost to Loved: How Valerie the Dachshund is Helping Rescue Dogs Find Home — With a Little Help From The Paws Room

At Pound Paws, we believe every rescue dog deserves a second chance — and a space where they can feel safe, loved, and at home.

That’s why we’re so proud to partner with The Paws Room, an Australian brand designing stylish, sustainable crate furniture that supports pets in one of the most important phases of their lives: the transition into home life.

And who better to help tell that story than Valerie the Dachshund?

Valerie’s Journey: From Lost to Loved

Valerie made global headlines earlier this year when she was found after spending 540 days lost on Kangaroo Island. Her survival story touched millions and reminded us all of the resilience of rescue animals.

But Valerie’s story didn’t end with her reunion. Coming home was only the beginning of a whole new journey — one that required safety, structure, and patience.

A Crate, A Calm Space — and a Happy Ending

Understanding how vital it would be to support Valerie’s transition, The Paws Room gifted her one of their wooden crates, designed not just to blend seamlessly into the home, but to provide comfort and calm for pets navigating change.

Working closely with respected dog behaviourist Lara Shannon, Valerie’s family created a nurturing environment to help her settle.

“We knew Valerie would initially need a safe and calming space to rest and re-adjust,” said Georgia from The Paws Room. “Lara also showed us how using a crate could help Valerie feel secure and rebuild a sense of routine. It really reinforced how important it is for lost or adopted rescue dogs to have a consistent, comforting environment.”

The result? Valerie found a sense of peace — her crate became her “happy space.”
Georgia adds with a laugh:

“We’ll probably need to get another one because our cat Lucy has claimed it, too!”

An Ambassador for Rescue Dogs & Safe Spaces

Valerie has since been appointed the official Ambassador for The Paws Room, helping to raise awareness for the thousands of pets who, just like her, need time and space to decompress and adjust after trauma or displacement.

Her story reinforces an important message: transition periods matter. Whether a dog has been lost, rehomed, or adopted from a shelter, they need safe, familiar spaces to help them heal and thrive.

 A Shared Mission: Creating Real Change Together

The Paws Room shares our vision at Pound Paws — to create genuine, lasting connections between rescue dogs and their forever families. With love, support, and the right tools (like crate training), these dogs don’t just survive… they thrive.

And to help make a real impact, The Paws Room is now matching every donation made at checkout to support Pound Paws’ rehoming and rescue work. Every crate purchased helps another rescue pup on their journey to a forever home.

Join Us at Pound Paws Dog Day in Double Bay!

Come meet Valerie in person at her first-ever public appearance:

🗓 Sunday 31st August
📸 Valerie’s VIP Meet & Greet: 12:45pm
🛏️ Crate Comfort Zone – learn about the power of crate training with guidance from experts

Together, We’re Supporting Pets in Transition

From providing practical tools to promoting thoughtful, compassionate adoption, we’re so proud to have the support from The Paws Room to help dogs like Valerie — and the families who welcome them home.

👉 Explore The Paws Room’s range of beautiful dog crate furniture: https://www.thepawsroom.com.au/
👉 Register to attend Dog Day (free): https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/pound-paws-dog-day-at-the-sheaf-double-bay-tickets-1440034153919